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Face-To-Face

Interesting reading I received from a recovery friend today.

In this world of electronic communication, it served as a good reminder to me of the need for face-to-face contact with other kindred spirits. As a part of my journey of recovery and balanced living, I have to make sure I have social contact with other people; whether it is people taking a journey of life recovery or others with whom I share some common interests.

In both these areas I love the fact, as the passage says; you leave your references and credentials at the door.

It would be easy to sit in my little office and communicate with the world through my computer or the telephone; yet I know if that were to happen, my recovery would take a large step backwards. Insuring our social needs and properly met is a key to health of body, mind and soul.

Nothing can take the place of face to face contact, and I’m glad to be reminded.

We came together because we were in trouble.

We leave our references and credentials at the door.

We learn that we can recover from this trouble through the most powerful remedy in the world for sick souls --the face-to-face relation, respect for one another as human beings, and the right to live well as complete persons.

We come together in the downright simple faith that every human being has a right to health in body, mind, and soul.
- Thank You For Sharing,  p. 58
Thought to Ponder . . .Together we can do what we could never do alone.

I believe that life recovery is a Co-Creative Process; one that harnesses the strength found in “together”!

New To Life (Addiction) Recovery?

Life is hard, that is a fact each of us faces on a daily basis.

That being said it does not have to be lived in constant fear, being sick and tired of being sick and tired, feeling “less than” or not capable, escaping realities and constantly depressed or worried.

While life is hard for all of us, we all have a choice as to how we live it.

Many years ago I came to a crossroads. While to the outside world I may have appeared to be materially successful, success was not something I felt on the inside. Life was scary, I was depressed, I was far from honest with others or self, my marriage was on the rocks and my relationship with my children was marginal at best. My relationship with me was horrible (couldn’t spell self-esteem), and my life was devoid of any spiritual component.

As an escape from this unhappy place, I had turned to alcohol, mood altering substances and behaviors and sought out the company on a regular basis of people who I thought I was superior to. I sought the limelight to validate who I thought the world meant me to be. Hope and serenity were memories of a distant past life.

What happened?

To this day I don’t entirely understand, but I don’t have to. Through a marriage councilor I was put in touch with an addictions expert who worked with me and then suggested group therapy. I voluntarily went to a “holistic” rehab facility. I attended 12 step meetings and met some wonderful people. The use of “outside help” and working the 12 steps has been a constant in my recovery. Throughout this wonderful journey, life has remained hard, it’s a complex world and troubled times we live in, BUT I have chosen a different, healthier path for myself and not tried to do it alone. Many days have gone by in recovery and a recovered state each day.

Today I have been given the gift of not using drugs, alcohol or other dangerous behavior to escape reality. My marriage has a whole new dimension to it (intimacy-a word I could pronounce but could not live with) and I do enjoy hope and serenity on a daily basis. I’m a good father to my now adult children, a good “Grampy” to 3 so far, a friend to my friends, and importantly, a friend to me. I am who I am and satisfied to just be me.

I have had the good fortune of seeing lives turn around- careers, relationships, depression lift, self-esteem build, people become contributors to life again- through the “gifts” I was blessed with and the hard work I have done and choices I’ve made; always mindful of the small quiet voice that I now recognize as the higher power who always was there, but who I chose to ignore.

Thinking of doing what you have to do to get a life that makes you happy? Started on a journey but not getting results? There are choices you are going to have to make; difficult choices. There is real work and self-discovery you are going to have to do. You are going to have to get honest with yourself and eventually with others. You are going to have to take responsibility for your life and your actions and not run around looking for others to “save” you. Your actions will be what turn your life around.

Many have recovered life. There is no one way, but there are elements that are similar in all ways. To my hard core 12 step friends who believe meetings are the only way, look at the success rate. I2 step programs are as successful as anything generally available, but many need much more. What is important is that you make a commitment to yourself about what it is you really want, get help, follow a plan and stay out of your own way! There are many who can give you more than sympathy, they can give you the benefit of their long term experience and what they did to get life recovery.

If you’re truly ready to get the life you want and deserve and are prepared for honest work, please feel free to contact me through www.hopeserenity.ca. I’d be pleased to see if my experience can get you on a track that is right for you, and there is no cost or obligation. I would love to see those who want it get it in a way that works for them!